Loot!

I should have posted this last week–haven’t been on the computer much.

I don’t join a lot of swaps. In fact, it’s usually one per year. This year, I was invited to a private swap by a friend, and I couldn’t resist.

Thing is, when I’m in a swap, I get focused on making the thing I’m going to send, and I often forget that I will also receive something. So when my loot comes, it’s a lovely surprise. This one was especially wonderful:

Yes, it was a “secret pal” type swap, but my partner was easy to find–Mari Mortem made many wonderful things. And if you go over there right now, the first couple posts are about her process.

I’d been planning to make a spooky purse–something small and cross-body. I never mentioned it anywhere, I swear! And yet, Mari sent this wonderful thing. It’s perfect, and I’ve started using it already. Also pictured is a lovely pair of leather bat wings. They are meant for boots, but I don’t have any (yet–I’ve been looking!). They are, however, the perfect size for a beardie costume, so I’ll be figuring out a mostly-non-annoying attachment so I can put them on the girls for Halloween pictures.

She also made a tiny pumpkin phone charm from polyclay. He’s delightfully spooky.

The last of the handmade items: a really darling watercolor. I love the kitty–I can’t photograph it well enough so you can tell how nice it is in person.

There was also all sorts of other doo-dads–a bandanna, stickers, a cool box, a card, and more! What a joy it was to open. Thank you so much, Mari!